Top Players from DeMatha vs. Gonzaga

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeMatha defeated Gonzaga 27-3 in D.C. over the weekend, officially beginning WCAC play. Let's take a closer look at the standout performances from this conference opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'2 170 WR - Kristian Tate - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As he dominated his matchups and hauled in a 50 yard touchdown reception, it's safe to say that Kristian Tate continued his breakout season this past weekend against Gonzaga. Tate and his quarterback, Denzel Gardener, are showing that they're a top tier quarterback-receiver duo in the WCAC, and it's clear that their chemistry is improving with every game. Tate's score against Gonzaga put the Stags up by two touchdowns, and from that point forward in the game DeMatha's defense stood strong and held the Purple Eagles to only three total points on offense. Kristian Tate is truly having a special season this year, and if scouts anywhere are looking for a dynamic receiver with a a long wingspan and soft hands then Kristian Tate of DeMatha is your answer. He's a phenomenal young talent with a very high ceiling, and I am very excited about his future at the next level! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/_14reasons/status/1578582501328494592?s=20&amp;t=erbIlVrj1Rc6Q8f45DFmwQ">https://twitter.com/_14reasons/status/1578582501328494592?s=20&amp;t=erbIlVrj1Rc6Q8f45DFmwQ</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 6'0 175 QB - [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] keeps proving time and time again that he's going to be an elite dual-threat quarterback at the next level. Against Gonzaga, Gardner displayed his well-roundedness, and he showed us that if you sleep on his arm strength then you're going to get burned by him. Gardner threw a blazing 50 yard touchdown pass to Kristian Tate early-on in the contest, and he displayed poise both inside and outside of the pocket throughout the game. His dynamic running ability and incredible speed were also on full display over the weekend, and there's no question that [player_tooltip player_id='250315' first='Denzel' last='Gardner'] remains one of the best class of 2025 quarterbacks in the nation. In his next game this upcoming weekend against McNamara, my prediction is that he puts forth his most dominant effort of the season against the Mustangs @7PM Eastern time at home under the Friday night lights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/AxvKhaa6ZP">https://t.co/AxvKhaa6ZP</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 5'11 180 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='90677' first='Deandre' last='Ricks'] - DeMatha</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deandre "Juice" Ricks secured his first interception of the season against Gonzaga. He picked off the Purple Eagles' QB at mid-field, and he returned the ball all the way into the red-zone. Ricks' performance was absolutely his best of the season, and his presence in the secondary makes DeMatha's defense incredibly dynamic. Ricks has what it takes to play at the next level, and there's zero doubt in my mind that his speed, work ethic, and intelligence will translate very well in the college game. "Juice" Ricks and the Stags take on Bishop McNamara this Friday @7PM Eastern, in another perfect opportunity to showcase his elite ability. Scouts everywhere must have their eyes on this game and [player_tooltip player_id='90677' first='Deandre' last='Ricks']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/dre_4pf/status/1578580091147546626?s=20&amp;t=oscgGsWZH5NneGTq5zxUQA">https://twitter.com/dre_4pf/status/1578580091147546626?s=20&amp;t=oscgGsWZH5NneGTq5zxUQA</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'6 315 OL - Oluwa[player_tooltip player_id='321730' first='Tosin' last='Babalade'] - DeMatha - South Carolina</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nobody led the way for the Stags more in this game than Senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='321730' first='Tosin' last='Babalade']. The University of South Carolina commit opened huge holes for DeMatha's rushing attack, and he was ironclad against a very solid Gonzaga Purple Eagles defense. There's nothing more important in football than protecting your quarterback, and [player_tooltip player_id='321730' first='Tosin' last='Babalade'] also did just that against Gonzaga. Gamecock nation should be ecstatic about Babalade's commitment, because in the SEC there's nothing more important than a stout offensive line. Oluwa[player_tooltip player_id='321730' first='Tosin' last='Babalade'] will do great things at USC, and you can watch him play next this upcoming Friday @7PM Eastern at home against Bishop McNamara. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/_Bigtree23/status/1578762409984274433?s=20&amp;t=oscgGsWZH5NneGTq5zxUQA">https://twitter.com/_Bigtree23/status/1578762409984274433?s=20&amp;t=oscgGsWZH5NneGTq5zxUQA</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'1 185 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='146209' first='Dante' last='Lovett'] - DeMatha - Virginia Tech</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='146209' first='Dante' last='Lovett'] continues to prove that he's one of the elite defensive backs in the area, and he did just that against Gonzaga when he hauled in yet another interception. He has three interceptions in only six games so far this season, and, in my opinion, his three star rating is too low. There's absolutely no reason that he shouldn't have been given four or five stars, and I believe he deserved to be ranked higher than a three star recruit. Virginia Tech signed an incredible player in [player_tooltip player_id='146209' first='Dante' last='Lovett'], and I wouldn't be surprised to see him become one of the leaders of the Hokies' defensive secondary in only a few years. ACC offenses better be on notice when they come into Blacksburg next year, because, especially with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='146209' first='Dante' last='Lovett'], their defense is going to be elite. Tune in this Friday to watch DeMatha take on McNamara, and you'll see Lovett dominate his matchups yet again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/dante_lovett/status/1579234520456663040?s=20&amp;t=oscgGsWZH5NneGTq5zxUQA">https://twitter.com/dante_lovett/status/1579234520456663040?s=20&amp;t=oscgGsWZH5NneGTq5zxUQA</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->